It's that time again!

YAAAAY!!  I loooooooove General Conference.  A day to snuggle with the family, eat a yummy breakfast and hear the uplifting and encouraging words of our wonderful leaders.


For those of you who may not know, I'm a Mormon.  My faith has shaped everything I am.  I know where I came from.  I know why I'm here, where I'm going and how to get there.  The teachings of Christ have given me purpose.  I know that there is life after death, that my family can be together forever and that Heavenly Father loves me. 

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, member of the First Presidency gave the most wonderful talk at the General Relief Society Broadcast.  


If you have 2 minutes, watch this video.


You are Not Forgotten






If anything, read that last paragraph.  It makes me cry every time I watch it.  It's hard being a mom.  It's a thankless job really.  One that demands so much physical and mental energy it's absolutely exhausting.  And then to have no one notice all the hard work you do, no pats on the back, awards, bonuses or raises.  But knowing that you are not forgotten.  That Heavenly Father sees all the sacrifices you are making, that he is proud of you and that he loves you.  It makes this whole motherhood thing totally worth it!


In leu of conference, here are some fun packets I've found floating around online for the kiddos!


From Sugar Doodle

This one, from Sugar Doodle, is a little time consuming for the momma.  But I'm pretty sure it's my favorite!

A super cute General Conference listening kit!  From a Bushel and a Peck of FUN

Church site with various activities

General Conference Kits!  Found at Brandy's Crafts

And a basket from The Family Johnson

Whew!  There are a lot to choose from!  Good luck picking and happy Conference watching!!

My Soul is the Sky

Hello lovelies. I'm Melissa from My Soul is the Sky and I want to thank Abby for letting me sponsor her cute blog My Yellow Sandbox.

My blog is a simple collection of things I'm currently obsessing over.

The things I love most being:

I use a lot of pictures to depict my adventures; a photo journalist of sorts!  So take a little detour and come check out my little blog, My Soul is the Sky.

Maybe it's got something you'll enjoy too. Thanks for reading!

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ABBY HERE- Melissa and I are neighbors.  And I'll be honest, I've totally stolen some of her hairstyles.  She's the greatest little thing ever.  Go check her out, you'll LOVE her.

What's for dinner?

Chicken Divan.  Ever had it?  I like to think the dish was invented by my own momma, as I've never had it anywhere else.  It was definitely a family favorite growing up.

Ingredients:

• Stuffing mix and butter
• Rice
• 3-4 chicken breasts
• 2 cans Cream of Broccoli Cheese
• 1 thing of Broccoli.  Are they called heads?!
• Monterey Jack Cheese

Start by boiling 3-4 chicken breasts.  Feel free to add some chicken broth in the water to make it taste saltier

Get your broccoli cut up and steaming.  Don't steam it too long because it's still going to cook in the oven.  You don't want mushy broccoli!

Start your rice

Dump your stuffing mix into a bowl and add some melted butter.  Like, 1/4 cup butter

Mix the butter and the stuffing together and set aside

Get out some milk, a can or 2 of Broccoli Cheese soup, a mixing bowl and an oblong baking dish

Open the cans of broccoli cheese soup and pour in your bowl.  Start with one can, see how far it gets you.  You can always add more.  Next, add some milk.  You want the mixture to be a little bit runny.

 

Now spread some of that mixture on the bottom of your baking dish and set the sauce aside

Cut up your chicken and add it to the top of your broccoli cheese soup mixture

Add your steamed broccoli

Pour the rest of your broccoli cheese soup mixture over the top of the broccoli and chicken

I usually sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top of the Chicken Divan before I add the stuffing. It's preference though, good with or without it!  My family loves it, I just forgot to add it!

Bake in your oven at 350 until it's warm and bubbly.  Remember, everything is already cooked.  You've just got to brown the stuffing and get the cheese melted! 

Serve on top of rice!

Now that picture doesn't do the dish justice.  Mostly because I'm not a photographer and so the colors look a little weird!  This is soooo yummy though and a great way to get those kiddos to eat their broccoli!

ENJOY!  If you make it I'd love to know how you liked it!

Hair Jems Giveaway!

So I'm kind of completely in love with these hair sticks from HairJems.  In high school I would end up pulling my hair back everyday using pencils... yeah, not super cute.  But these hair sticks- are you kidding me?!!  I am so excited to try these out, maybe come up with a few new do's?!

Every hair stick is hand crafted, using crystals, glass beads and organic materials such as gemstones, bone, pearls and shells.  HairJems hair sticks are the perfect accessory for creating elegant up do's in long hair.  Think of HairJems for your next special occasion- wedding hairstyles for the bride and bridesmaids, prom or chic casual styles for no fuss everyday wear!   I'm thinking the messy bun would look awesome with a few sticks tucked in the bun.

One lucky winner will receive a $45.00 credit to HairJems Etsy site.  Forty Five Bucks!  Do we not love Treva?  Let's make sure to let her know how much we love her!  

You'll find a bazillion more at Treva's Hair Jems Etsy site, so make sure you check it out!  Here are just a few of my favorites:

To Win:

1. Visit HairJems Etsy site and pick out your favorites

2. Leave a comment below

BONUS DRAW

For a second chance at winning a hair stick of your choice (up to $30.00) "Like" HairJems on Facebook and let Treva know you did so, contacting her through her Etsy site!

Good luck my friends!

And the winner is....

Let's give a huge thank you to Good Frau for hosting this awesome giveaway!  Emily is offering 10% off to those of you who did not win by using the coupon code "YELLOW" at checkout!  Not valid on printing. 

If you haven't yet seen Good Frau's personalized paper products, please go check her out.  She is AMAZING!

AND THE WINNER IS.....

31 blog entries.  1 comment on FB due to blogger issues.  1 out of 32 and guess who wins?!

ALISSA HANSEN!!!  Random.org doesn't lie.  Which is why it's so crazy that Alissa happens to be one of my best friends.  Friends never win- it's about stinkin' time!  

Speaking of Alissa, here's a little blast from the past.  My high school friends and I went on a little cruise for our Senior Trip in 2005.  Was that really six years ago?  Hooooly crap I am old!

I really hate that picture of me.  Ha ha too much teeth!  Alissa- top right corner

Thanks for stoppin' by!  See ya tomorrow!

Halloween

Here are just a few of my favorite Halloween ideas I've found this week.  I LOVE Halloween!  Brian told me I didn't have a budget this year for decor... ha ha it's because last year I spent like five years worth of a reasonable Halloween budget.  It was a little ridiculous.  So I don't blame him!

I found this cute little number on Etsy.  And it's sold.  LAME!  I'm thinking a DIY tutorial...  oh wait, I don't have my own front door.  DANG.  In a few years maybe!

I am in love with this idea from Dana.  Check out the bats here

Oh Halloween Tree!  Found at Less Cake More Frosting

Doesn't that look delish?  Found from A Merrier World

I love chocolate covered pretzels.  They are seriously my favorite thing.  Found at Cute As a Fox

 

Over at Room to Inspire, she made this awesome candy corn display.
Inexpensive and looks awesome!

I'm going to send you straight to House of Smith's.  Her Halloween decor is AWESOME!  Pick a few of her DIY projects and make something sweet!

 From Brown Paper Packages

Jen Johnson's Decor, absolutely love this!

Over at Country Living I found this awesome tree... made with pumpkins.  Awkward?  No.  Awesome!

I am completely in love with these Halloween Trees right now.  Maybe not this exact one... but something like it! This grouping needs like an orange table runner... or something...  And I'm not a fan of the random skull or the boo sign.  But I LOVE the tree!

Found over at the Martha Project 

More Halloween Decor/Food/Craft ideas to come next week!